Tri-County
Fly Fishers
Home Page

January, 2009 Edition

Welcome to the Tri-County Fly Fishers Website.  This Federation of Fly Fishers affiliated Club is made up of about one hundred members from rank beginners to those with 50+ years of fly fishing experience.  Fishing interests range from bluegills and bass to redfish and tarpon, with an occasional rainbow trout from up north thrown in.  Membership is drawn from permanent and seasonal residents of those in and around the Florida counties of Lake, Marion and Sumter.
Website Updates:
1/4
Monthly update to the Home Page.  Calendar Page updated. 46 photos added to the Photo Album.  One fly recipe added to the Fly Tying Page. One item added to the Classifieds. Two books added to the Links & Library Page.
12/15
Calendar Page updated.
11/30
Monthly update to the Home Page.  Calendar Page updated. 3 photos added to the Photo Album.  One fly recipe added to the Fly Tying Page. One item added to the Classifieds.
 
Time For Payment Of Membership Dues
From now till the first of April, Club Treasurer Warren Rasmussen will be collecting $20 for FFF Members and $22 for non-FFF Members for the 2009 Membership Cycle. Payments will be accepted in cash or check at each of the monthly meetings. (Optional: Mail your check directly to Warren at 17054 SE 93rd Yondel Circle, The Villages, 32162.)
 
Looking For Volunteers
With the desire of the Membership for this Club to become a more environmentally conscious organization, the Club has joined the very excellent Adopt-A-Lake Program sponsored by the Lake County Water Authority by adopting a portion of the western shoreline of Lake Griffin. The Club's responsibility in this endeavor is to have monthly clean-ups to remove trash that has accumulated in the area or responsibility along with a once a quarter water quality monitoring. This effort started about six months ago and got off to a good start except that there are only about the same five key people who show up on the scheduled clean-up day. Only having five Members out of a club of one hundred members willing to spend two-three hours a month on this project is not a very good showing for such a worthy program. We need to have more Members come forward to keep this project from floundering -- even if you don't have a boat. you can participate. For more information or to sign up, contact Tom Green, 352-753-8547 or email. (Click here to learn more about the Adopt-A-Lake Program.)
December Fly Recipe
Oscar's Foam Grasshopper is this month's featured fly tied by Jack Neely. Click here for recipe.
New Club Secretary -- Ron Gryn
With Marilee Elias being awarded a Masters Degree in Nursing Education from the University of Central Florida this past month and her acceptance of a teaching position at Lake Sumter Community College, she regretfully had to resign her position as the Secretary of the TCFF. By appointment of the Board of Directors, Ron Gryn has become the new Secretary.
Ponce Inlet Fishing Trip
December 4th, (L to R) Honorary Member and Austrian citizen Thomas Pseiner, Dave Ferris, Larry Semple, and Doug Dombek ventured to Turtle Mound and Ponce Inlet. Several small sea trout were taken off the sand bar at Turtle Mound. Following lunch at Boston's Fish House, Ponce Inlet was on the menu. Thomas, having caught 3 bluefish and 2 sea trout there just two days earlier, led the way. Unfortunately, no fish were taken in that area. However, since the south side of Ponce Inlet is so close to Turtle Mound, all future trips will probably fish both places.
Renzetti Fly Fishing And
Rod Building Fair
About eighteen TCFF Members attended the second Renzetti Fly Fishing And Rod Building Fair in Titusville. As with the first fair, attendees were treated to an array of presentations by the Who's Who of fly fishing. Pictured is Bob Clouser demonstrating his fly casting technique.
Fish Creek Flounder
Marilee Elias caught this nice Flounder (along with an almost legal redfish) fishing on Fish Creek in Ozello.
Jack Neely Recognized For His Contribution To The Club

At the December Wednesday Evening Meeting, Bill Kugelman presented to Jack Neely a plaque recognizing his years in promoting the Club's objectives, most notably in the teaching of fly tying to the Club Membership.

(A note from Jack: To all Tri-County Members: Many thanks for the wonderful surprise given to me at the Wednesday Evening Meeting. To be given such a beautiful Certificate of Appreciation for my fly tying efforts was a total surprise but very much appreciated. I hope you all get as much fun out of my efforts as I do. To everyone again many thanks. Jack Neely)
Annual Christmas Dinner

About forty people showed up for the TCFF Annual Christmas Dinner at Little Joey's Italian Restaurant. Everyone had a good time, the food was excellent and the DJ was very entertaining.  
Results of 2009-2010 FFF Florida Council Officer Elections
President - Bill Gunn, Back Country FF of Brevard - wtgunjr@aol.com
1st. VP - James Harter, Treasure Coast/Stuart FF - pjharter@comcast.net
2nd. VP - Cas Summers, Back Country FF of Orlando - cas@casanddebbie.com
Treasurer - George O. Haennicki, South Florida FF Club - flytyer-golfer@worldnet.att.net
Secretary - Gerald Bell, Big Bend FF of Tallahassee - libertyj@nettally.com
Director-at-Large - Ken Hofmeister, Suncoast FF of St. Pete - khofmeister@tampabay.rr.com
Director-at-Large - Tarpon Coast FF of Hernando Beach - rmaler@comcast.net
Jack's Notes

For January and February, there is no need to be on the water until late in the morning or, indeed, at least till mid-day. The reason is as the day warms up the fish have to adjust to the temp change and this puts them off from any real feeding. (Past Notes archived in Jack's Notes.)
 
North Georgia Club Trout Fishing Trip

On November 10th, (L to R) Steve Lusen, Felix Nieves, Ed Rapisardi, and Paul Goorjian met at 5:00 AM for the trip north to Helen, Georgia heading to Unicoi state park in the Chattahoochee National Forest for four days of trout fishing.

The first stop was to visit Ed's friends at the Unicoi Outfitters in order to get Georgia fishing licenses, places to fish and flies that guaranteed to catch fish. Lucky for us, we got all three -- these guys really know their business.

After getting Ed to stop talking at the Outfitters, we ushered him out of the shop and headed for the Unicoi Lodge where we were staying for the next three nights and hopefully four days of fun and a lot of fish. The lodge was a pleasant surprise. It was comfortable, convenient, clean and right near the fishing. We checked in and went right to Spring Creek where as it turned out we would fish for the next three days. The fishing was great. Everyone caught plenty of fish and we enjoyed three full days of laughs, food and trout.

 
Thinking About Ever Fishing The
Northwest Territories?
An open letter to the Membership to the TCFF from Dave Ferris: I recently signed up for a trip to Kasba Lake in the N.W. Territories. I will be traveling up with a group of fishermen from The Villages. The Lodge is holding several more spots for us and there is room for you. I will be there from the last few days in July till August 3rd. Fishing is for lake trout up to 55 pounds, record northern pike and record grayling.

There is a bait spawn that brings large lake trout into the local cove during the time I will be there and they can be caught on a fly. I will be getting information on the flies to tie -- the fish to imitate is a cisco, the species spawning. I don't know if the fly is a match for the spawning adult or the fry. Most fishermen take a spinning rod and cast to them. They are taken on the surface feeding in shallow water.

The facilities are first class. If anyone is interested, please get in touch with me (daveyfe@yahoo.com or 352-753-9100).
A link to the site is www.kasba.com check it out.
 
Free Fly Fishing Clinic

There will be a free beginners' fly fishing clinic to be held at the Oxford Community Center on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 starting at 6:00 PM .

The clinic will consist of three parts which are:
1. Safety and Equipment: Types of fly rods, reels and lines. Fly fishing techniques. Personal protection – clothing, insect repellents, etc. Fresh and saltwater hazards.
2. Fly Tying: Introduction to the tools. Basic tying techniques. Tying a Woolly Bugger.
3. Fly Casting. Stance. Grip position. Range of fly rod motion. Timing.

The clinic will be limited to 18 participants. All tools, equipment, and materials will be provided by the Tri-County Fly Fishers. The entire program will be conducted on one evening.

If you are a club member and a beginner or a near beginner you are invited to participate. If you have a friend who is interested in fly fishing, and if they join the club, they will receive first priority in the class.

Please sign up now by contacting Dave Ferris at daveyfe@yahoo.com and answer the following:
1. Do you have a fly casting outfit?
2. Do you have a fly tying equipment?
3. How would you rate you fly tying experience? Beginner (no training or self-taught), Intermediate (some training with up to five years active experience) and Advanced (greater than five years active experience).
4. How would you rate your fly fishing experience? Beginner (no training or self-taught), Intermediate (some training with up to five years active experience) and Advanced (greater than five years active experience).

 
"The fishing was good; it was the catching
that was bad." -- A.K. Best

"All the romance of trout fishing exists in the mind of the angler and is in no way
shared by the fish." -- Harold F. Blaisdell
 
The Club welcomes any questions, comments, complaints, ideas, whatever -- just contact us at contacttcff@aol.com.
 
--------- Fishin' Buddy Program ---------
Based on a program set up by the Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers to encourage its boat owners to go fly fishing with those who do not have access to boats, the TCFF is modifying its Fishin’ Buddy Program to be less restrictive as to when and where members fish.

The Captains signing up will be acknowledged at the Breakfast and Evening meetings and on the TCFF Website. It will be up to the Club Member (the Mate) wanting to fish to contact the captain, compare fishing styles, etc., and, by mutual agreement, whether or not to fish.
(As always, it is appropriate to share expenses.)

Captain Gary Christie
Days available for fishing: Monday and Friday
352-347-5735
15' bass boat
Areas Fished:  Local Lakes
Captain Bill Kirchner Days available for fishing: Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday
352-751-1895 16.5 ft Fisher
Areas Fished:  Harris Chain of Lakes
Captain Ed Russell Days available for fishing: All week
352-751-2384 Pontoon Boat
Areas Fished:  Ocklawaha River and Lake Griffin
Captain Bob Strunc Days available for fishing: Tuesday and Friday
352-787-6449 Grumman 17' bass boat w/50 HP
Areas Fished:  Lake Harris
For information or to sign-up as Captain, contact Ed Russell at 751-2384.
 
--------- Fresh Water Fishing Trip ---------
St. Johns River @ Highway 40 (Astor)
Thursday, January 15
Information and/or to sign up, contact Bill Kirchner, 751-1895
 
--------- Saltwater Fishing Trip ---------
Anclote River Area (Tarpon Springs)

 Week of January 26th
Wading and Portage Craft

Actual date and time to be selected the week before depending on weather and tides.
Information and/or to sign up, contact Mike Winter, 307-4895.
 
Near Term Calendar (For long term calendar with full details, Click Here.)
  • January 7 (Wednesday) -- Monthly Breakfast Meeting. Taste Tempter Pancake Inn, Leesburg. Visitors and guests welcome.
  • January 10 (Saturday) Fly Tying With The Masters. Flint Creek Outfitters, Ocala.
  • January 10 (Saturday) Fly Tying Class. Flint Creek Outfitters, Ocala.
  • January 15 (Thursday) -- Club Fresh Water Fishing Trip. St. Johns River @ Highway 40 (Astor)
  • January 17 (Saturday) Fly Tying With The Masters. Flint Creek Outfitters, Ocala.
  • January 17 (Saturday) Fly Tying Class. Flint Creek Outfitters, Ocala.
  • January 21 (Wednesday) -- 3rd Wednesday Evening Meeting. 7:00pm at the Oxford Community Center. Guest Speaker Captain Jimmy Johnson -- he guides Trout fisherman 100 days a year at Lake Ennis, Montana, and 100 days a year for Tarpon, out of Islamorada in the Keys. Visitors and guests welcome.
  • January 24 (Saturday) Fly Tying With The Masters. Flint Creek Outfitters, Ocala.
  • January 24 (Saturday) Fly Tying Class. Flint Creek Outfitters, Ocala.
  • Week of January 26 -- Club Saltwater Fishing Trip. Anclote River Area (Tarpon Springs).
  • January 27 (Tuesday) -- Adopt-A-Lake Cleanup. Lake Griffin.
  • January 31 (Saturday) Fly Tying With The Masters. Flint Creek Outfitters, Ocala.
  • January 31 (Saturday) Fly Tying Class. Flint Creek Outfitters, Ocala.

Club Photo Album
Topics For The Fly Tyer, Pattern Recipes, And Fly Tying Classes
Fly Fishing Trip Info And Trip Reports
Salt Water And Freshwater Fly Fishing Techniques And Hints
Links to Fly Fishing Information, Organizations, Magazines, Vendors, Etc. and Club Lending Library Inventory
Classified Ads -- Fishing And Boating Related Items, For Sale And Wanted

Comments or Questions about the Website or the TCFF, please email the Webmaster

Keywords: Marion County, Sumter County, Lake County, Ocala, Leesburg, The Villages, Gulf, Mosquito Lagoon, North Central Florida, Harris Chain, Holly Chain, saltwater, flyfishing, fishing club, fishing clubs, Lake Griffin, Belleview, Florida fly fishing, fly fishing Florida.